Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment

At Pinnacle Recovery all of our clients are seen and assessed each week by a licensed Psychiatrist. These sessions are a combination of medication management, psychoeducational, and psychotherapy. During these sessions, our aim is to provide education to individuals on topics such as medication-assisted treatment for addiction (MAT), how childhood and adult trauma change the brain and lead to increased substance use and other psychiatric disorders, how brain pathways and the body are directly impacted by substance use and addiction, and the importance of healthy eating, diet, and exercise when overcoming addiction. Our psychiatrist utilizes a wide variety of treatment modalities, including lab work that screens for alternative causes of anxiety, depression, and other underlying psychiatric conditions as well as checking for vitamin and hormone levels that are important for overall brain health. When appropriate, labs to check for infections in the blood and urine are available, and also diagnosis of other underlying psychiatric or medical conditions that are contributing to continued substance use: depression disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, OCD, post-partum, post-menopausal, obesity, sleep apnea, etc.

Pinnacle Recovery also values collaboration with outside providers, whether it is the client’s primary physician, psychiatrist, or therapist. Pinnacle Recovery will also assist with referrals to other specialists and all clients will be discharged with a primary care provider or psychiatrist when appropriate for ongoing treatment. We fax all of our labs and final note to their primary care provider, outpatient psychiatrist, and/or outpatient therapist.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction (MAT)?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with cognitive and behavioral therapy, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet each individual’s needs.

Extensive research has shown MAT to be clinically effective and significantly reduces the need for inpatient detoxification services for these individuals. The ultimate goal of MAT is a full recovery, including the ability for each client to live a self-directed, healthy life.

Common Misconceptions About MAT

Medication-Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders often receives an abundance of negative attention. What’s surprising is that people struggling with substance use disorders encounter the most blatant resistance to this type of treatment from other individuals in recovery who believe in complete abstinence, which prohibits the use of medication in recovery. Unfortunately, this point of view is based on a lack of scientific research, evidence, and overall misunderstanding about what MAT really is. It is important to note that using the most effective and safe medication to treat a substance use disorder is not the same thing as using drugs to get high.

Education is Essential for Successful Recovery

In order to fully understand things in life, you need to learn and become educated about the topic. People often say “knowledge is power”, which can be true with any given topic such as addiction. Addiction is a disease that can affect you differently than someone else. Learning about addiction can help prevent you or someone you know from developing an addiction. Also, learning about evidence-based treatment and recovery programs for substance use disorders (SUD) and addiction to alcohol can help you or someone you know receives treatment.

Education about this subject can include factual information on topics like:

  • What substance abuse actually is
  • An understanding of how and why substances are abused
  • The early warning signs of addiction
  • Scientific information pertaining to how alcohol and certain drugs affect the brain and body
  • The consequences of addiction in terms of physical and mental health and the potential impact it can have on family members, and relationships
  • How to be supportive during the detoxification and rehabilitation process

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, studies have shown that substance abuse prevention programs are incredibly beneficial if they are research-based and implemented properly.

Along with education on the addiction itself, Pinnacle Recovery also educates clients on alternative medications, the use of safe supplements, vitamins, and nutrition. All of which contribute to the clients’ overall health and happiness. If you are interested in learning more about our comprehensive psychiatric program, contact one of our professionals today!